Research Guides: Entrepreneurship: Starting up a Company

Establishing a New Limited Company

Under Hong Kong laws, any group or individual (not necessarily a Hong Kong resident) may incorporate a limited company or purchase a shell company in Hong Kong. After completing business registration, the company can commence business in Hong Kong.

The applicant may submit applications and required documents for incorporation of local companies online at the 24-hour portal e-Registry (www.eregistry.gov.hk). The applicant could also deliver the documents in hard copy form to the Hong Kong Companies Registry with the correct fees:

Incorporation Form (Form NNC1 & IRBR1 Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares))
A copy of the company’s Articles of Association
A Notice to Business Registration Office (IRBR1)

Major Fees

The fees for incorporating a company limited by shares are:

Company Registration Fee – HK$1,720 (If unsuccessful, an application for a refund of HK$1,425 may be made)
Business Registration Fee – [P.S. please refer to http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/brfee_table.pdf for details]
Levy to the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund – HK$250 for a one-year certificate; HK$750 for a three-year certificate [P.S. please refer to http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/brfee_table.pdf for details]

For the details of other major fees, please refer to http://www.cr.gov.hk/en/public/fees.htm.

Processing time

Online applications for company incorporation and business registration can normally be processed within one hour. If you deliver your application in hard copy form, the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate will normally be issued within four working days.

(Source: https://www.investhk.gov.hk/en///www.investhk.gov.hk)

HK Government Websites

Doing Business in/with the Mainland
Starting a Business (Licensing, Registration & Regulations)
This article tells you about the information and services for licensing, registration and regulations regarding starting a business.
Registration of a New Company
Procedures of incorporation of a local limited company in Hong Kong and registration of a non-Hong Kong company (i.e. a company incorporated outside Hong Kong which has established a place of business in Hong Kong).
InvestHK
It is fast, easy and affordable to set up a business in Hong Kong. This page takes you through the entire process.
Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies
This Guideline explains the requirements for the registration of a company name. It came into effect from 3 March 2014 and replaced the “Company Names Guidelines 2011” from the same date.
Incorporation of a Local Limited Company
Price Guide to Main Services

Flow Chart of Establishing a New Limited Company in HK

Choose the type of company that best suits your company’s purposes
(Company limited by shares / Company limited by guarantee)

↓

Conduct a company name search through the Registry’s Cyber Search Centre

↓

Choose a name for the company
(Please refer to the Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies )

↓

Deliver the following documents with the correct fees either electronically through the Registry’s electronic service portal “e-Registry” or in hard copy form to the Companies Registry

Incorporation Form (Form NNC1 & IRBR1 Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares))
A copy of the company’s Articles of Association
A Notice to Business Registration Office (IRBR1)

For details, please refer to https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/publications/docs/4-e.pdf.

Startup Resources: Incubation and Acceleration Programmes in HK

Incubation and Acceleration Programmes in Hong Kong
Incubators and accelerators in Hong Kong are tailored to provide you with the ultimate support on your entrepreneurial path to success. You are one step closer to executing your brilliant idea. Take a look and see which one fits you best.
Cyberport Incubation Programme
To support the development of the Hong Kong ICT industry, the Cyberport Incubation Programme provides incubated companies with access to advanced facilities and resources, support in business development, financing & hiring of graduate interns, as well as entrepreneurship and technology training.
Design Incubation Programme
The Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) offers a comprehensive incubation programme for design professionals to become resourceful entrepreneurs. Throughout this 2-year incubation period, incubatees will enjoy assistance in many areas including office premises, business development support, and a series of tailor-made training programmes and networking sessions with industrial organizations, academic institutes, professional bodies, and potential business partners. Start-up companies from the following design disciplines are welcomed to apply: Product, Fashion, Branding/Packaging, Jewelry, Visual/Spatial Arts, Media & Communication and Interior/Architecture.
HKSTP Incubation Programme
This programme provides incubation services to assist start-ups involved in web and mobile technology, technology and biotechnology during their vulnerable inception stages. The support services include providing ready-to-use office space and shared facilities, bridging incubatees to universities’ expertise and collaboration opportunities through consultancy, providing promotion & development assistance, assisting incubatees to source funding and building up strategic partnerships and financial aid package.

Startup Resources: Network, Entrepreneurship Associations & Co-working Spaces in HK

Hong Kong Startup Council
It acts as a platform to facilitate the growth of startups by fostering connections between the startups and experienced industrialists.
Entrepreneurship Network in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, you will find a growing number of co-work spaces, entrepreneurship clubs, workshops, seminars and startup events happening on an almost daily basis. There are few places in Asia Pacific where you can mingle and network so often and as easily.
Hong Kong Start-up Trends
It shows featured articles from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Selected co-working spaces in Hong Kong

CoCoon
CoCoon is in the business of gathering vision, talent, experience and resources. They are looking for individuals with unique talents such as: entrepreneurs, innovators, designers, engineers, experienced leaders and investors to explore opportunities together to turn ideas into reality. Bringing together different forces, they strive to enable members to get access to complementary partners.
It has a 14,000 square feet creative coworking space in the middle of Hong Kong shared by startups and freelancers. They host many events such as pitch nights and external events.
Cyberport Smart-Space
Cyberport Smart-Space is one of the innovation and technology co-working spaces in Hong Kong. They offer flexible and affordable work spaces for local start-ups and overseas companies who are looking to scale their business in mainland China and other parts of Asia.
The Hive
The Hive is a purpose-designed members’ co working space for those in creative industries. It provides members a co-working space and creative community based in Wan Chai, Kennedy Town and Sai Kung of Hong Kong.
The Good Lab
The Good Lab is one of the Hong Kong’s Social Innovation hub. With 20,000 sq. ft. in size, the Good Lab is a cozy and creative coworking space for work, for events and other needs. It builds a community of changemakers by providing capacity building courses and experimentation opportunities for the development of innovative ideas.
Wynd
Wynd co-working space is located in Central district. It is a place where talents worldwide gather to live their dreams in career and leisure. It is also a platform to synergize the talents and opportunities offered by the city for entrepreneurs, innovators, and pioneers alike.